Karan Singh Tyagi is an Indian filmmaker who tells compelling stories rooted in history. He is quickly establishing himself as a powerful voice in Indian cinema. Tyagi made his directorial debut with Kesari: Chapter 2 – The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, which hit theatres on April 18, 2025.This historical courtroom drama stars Akshay Kumar as Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair and delves into the legal battle following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.​ In an exclusive chat, Karan Singh Tyagi praises his cast for their dedication towards their roles.

Karan Singh Tyagi Praises His Cast

In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, Karan Singh Tyagi lauds his cast for Kesari Chapter 2. He says, “They are fabulous actors, all of them are powerhouses of talent. I’m incredibly lucky that they chose my script. I feel Akshay sir truly grasped the core emotion behind the screenplay. He understood that we were making this film to honor the people who died at Jallianwala Bagh — to honor their sacrifice. They came to Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate Baisakhi, and they left as martyrs. One of the main reasons we made this film was to honor their sacrifice.”

He added, “The other reason was to honor the courage, bravery, and valor of Shankaran Nair, one of India’s forgotten heroes. Akshay sir got that reasoning, that emotion, absolutely right, which is why I believe he was so good in his portrayal of Shankaran Nair. As far as Maddy sir is concerned, I think he’s such a fine actor who brings so much depth and nuance to every role he plays.”

He continued, “Very early on, he and I zeroed in on a particular thought — that Neville McKinley is not out there to defend the Crown; he is out there to defeat Shankaran Nair. And there’s a thin line between those two motives, a line that he portrayed beautifully. He’s such an intelligent actor, and I truly believe he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential yet. He’s going to explode with a lot more remarkable performances in the future.”

He added, “Even Regina Cassandra — she played her part to perfection. It’s a very important role, and she portrayed it beautifully. My British cast, especially Simon Paisley Day. Who plays General Dyer — I think he is remarkable in his portrayal of the evil military man. He really makes you hate General Dyer, and that’s a testament to his talent.”

He continued with, “Amit Sial is also outstanding — such a remarkable actor. And the boy who plays Pargat, Krish Rao — he’s just 15 years old, yet he displays such maturity and nuance. I think he has a wonderful future ahead of him.”

Karan Singh Tyagi On Ananya Panday

He concluded with, “As for Ananya, I was really touched by her performance in Gehraiyaan. Her performance there was very sensitive, and it revealed a side of her that I needed for this film — a balance of vulnerability and steely resolve. I wanted both of those qualities in The Red Kill. She put in a lot of hard work. Her dialect classes went on for over a year to get the Punjabi diction right. She also shadowed a lawyer at the Bombay High Court to understand courtroom mannerisms. The performance you see on screen is the result of that dedication. I’m just blessed that I got the chance to work with Akshay sir, Maddy sir, and Ananya.”

About Kesari Chapter 2

Karan Singh Tyagi’s Kesari 2 with powerhouse production houses Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective backing the project. These renowned names in Indian cinema consistently deliver high-quality, ambitious films. Kesari 2 continues the story from the 2019 film Kesari, which depicted the legendary Battle of Saragarhi. The latest installment, Kesari: Chapter 2, focuses on the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 and its aftermath. The film adapts the book The Case That Shook the Empire, bringing to life the powerful legal battle that followed one of the darkest chapters in Indian history.

Also Read: Kesari Chapter 2 Box Office Day 11: Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan’s Courtroom Drama Shows Steady Growth On Second Monday; Mints Rs 2.65 Cr

Desk Head at Bollywood Bubble